Prevalence of undernourishment in Malawi
Malawi: Prevalence of undernourishment was 21.4% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of undernourishment in Malawi, 2001–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in Malawi is 21.4%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.4% on the previous year and up 43.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Malawi peaked at 24.1% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 13.9%, in 2011.
That places Malawi 24th out of 168 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 23.2% | — |
| 2002 | 23.4% | +0.9% |
| 2003 | 24.1% | +3.0% |
| 2004 | 23.2% | -3.7% |
| 2005 | 21.5% | -7.3% |
| 2006 | 19.3% | -10.2% |
| 2007 | 17.5% | -9.3% |
| 2008 | 15.9% | -9.1% |
| 2009 | 14.7% | -7.5% |
| 2010 | 14.1% | -4.1% |
| 2011 | 13.9% | -1.4% |
| 2012 | 14.2% | +2.2% |
| 2013 | 14.9% | +4.9% |
| 2014 | 15.5% | +4.0% |
| 2015 | 16.3% | +5.2% |
| 2016 | 16.7% | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 17.6% | +5.4% |
| 2018 | 18.3% | +4.0% |
| 2019 | 19.3% | +5.5% |
| 2020 | 19.9% | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 20.4% | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 20.7% | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 21.4% | +3.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 20.3% | 14.7% | 24.1% | 9 |
| 2010s | 16.1% | 13.9% | 19.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.6% | 19.9% | 21.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 21 Uganda 22.0% compare
- 22 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 21.8% compare
- 22 Mozambique 21.8% compare
- 25 Tanzania, United Republic of 20.2% compare
- 26 Solomon Islands 20.0% compare
- 27 Nigeria 19.9% compare
More health data for Malawi
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8368 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.9312 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 856.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 6,399 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 40-44, male, annual growth rate 2.4 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, male, per capita 0.0234 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, female, annual growth rate 9.1 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, female, per capita 0.0184 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Malawi?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Malawi was 21.4% in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 24.1% in 2003.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.9% in 2011.
- How does Malawi rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Malawi ranks 24th out of 168 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 43.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.